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Shop a villain and claim up to £1,000

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to get residents to spill the beans on burglars – with the possibility of a cash reward.

Crimestoppers is touring Basildon from today for the rest of the week and will be putting postcards through letterboxes and advertising on buses and through Facebook.

The charity wants to encourage residents to speak to it about stolen goods and burglaries anonymously when they do not wish to speak to Essex Police on 101.

Stuart Rawlins, chairman of Essex Crimestoppers, said: “Being burgled is not just about losing possessions, it also robs you of feeling safe in your own home.

People should be able to feel secure and confident in their homes.

“No one has anything to fear by contacting Crimestoppers, as they will remain anonymous.

“We never ask for your name, no personal details are taken, calls are not traced or recorded and you will not have to go to court or give a statement to the police.

“In the 26 years Crimestoppers has been running, we have never broken our promise of anonymity.”

Ann Scott, eastern regional manager for Crimestoppers, said: “Those who do not want to speak with Essex Police on 101 can use the Crimestoppers 24-hour phone number of 0800 555111, where they can give information about crime 100 per cent anonymously.

“Information can also be given online via a secure form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org “People often ask me why someone would not contact police if they knew about a burglary or someone handling stolen goods.

“Sometimes, the offer of a reward can bring someone forward, but generally it’s the sense of wanting to make their community safer without having to reveal their identity.

“If a burglar is operating in your street, it can be a real concern for people that the criminal might find out what they have done – Crimestoppers removes that concern and gives people peace of mind.”.

The appeal follows a crackdown on burglary in the county by police.

In Basildon already this year, police have issued residents with property marking kits and have patrols using maps showing high crime areas.

Latest figures show there have been 74 fewer offences compared to this time last year.

Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, has funded this campaign, understanding that not everyone wants to speak with police.

A similar campaign run at the start of this year across Castle Point, Rochford, Chelmsford and Maldon, Epping Forest, Brentwood and Tendring, saw 20 pieces of information generated compared to two the year before.

This led to four arrests compared to one the year before.

Members of the public are eligible to claim a reward of up to £1,000 if their information given to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 leads to a successful arrest and charge.